Triumphs have got to be my favorite bikes. They all have so much personality, much like their owners. That personality may be good or bad. I like the nice, bright colors in the metal flake. It’s amazing just how ingrained cars and motorcycles are in American culture. They are a source for nostalgia; a reminder of what many refer to as a simpler time. I’m not always so sure about that, but that’s the nature of nostalgia. It tends to only remind us of the best times and look at the hardest time as character building. No doubt the last few years in this country have been character building for all of us. Let’s hope things improve.

If you would like to have print of this shot for yourself, please visit my Etsy store.

I enjoy music photography, even though the conditions are nightmarish. Low light, changing light conditions, lot’s of rowdy people and usually lots of beer being sloshed around. Music photography makes it possible to combine two of my passions in life. I have been in love with music ever since I figured out that it was possible to find songs to help express emotion. I made for a useful tool when I was going up and trying to learn how to deal with all the emotions one encounters as an adolescent. As an adult music still helps in the same way. It also provides an escape from everyday life and helps keep my emotions balanced and often aids in my thought process. It just makes me feel good. Or a least better.

Live music is the best. It sounds better, you can feed off the energy of the crowd and it can make for some interesting photography. I like this particular image because it conveys the anger and fear inherit in the song.

I can’t get enough of these detail shots. I really need to work on photographing more of the whole car. I am trying to learn to push myself. When I think I am done shooting a subject, I force myself to take a couple more frames. For now however, it’s the more of close up detail shots.

A fun shot of my buddy Winston’s 32 Ford. I love items that have a story. Winston’s grandfather purchased the care brand new and it has been in the family ever since. He was nice enough to go out into the back roads of Livermore with me to allow me to get this shot. The tall shadows were tough but it made for some good shots. Watch for more of this car to follow.

For those loyal few who actually follow this thing, I will be at the Livermore Artwalk this weekend. It’s a great event with tons of local artists. I will be hosted by Floor to Ceiling at First St. at 2106 First St. right next the the First Street Ale House. If you are around please stop by. I will have all kinds of prints available for purchase. Please come by and say hi. Hope to see you there.

Just a nice close up shot of where all the power begins. Engines just look fast with a host of carburetors stacked on top. This one was taken at the Good Guys West Coast Nationals this year. The vast number of cars there makes it a great trip and there are always great finds in the swap meet. My only gripe is that it the whole show seems put together just to make money. For two people to park and get through the gate it costs you about $50 a day.

I love hanging out with my car club. One day we all decided to indulge ourselves and headed out for a Relics photo day. This pictures conjures up images of a desert oasis for me. It makes me think of a group of friends out for a long, hot day, of driving outdated cars with no A/C. Then in the middle of nowhere relief appears in the form of a couple palms trees offering up a bit of shade. This shot was taken with my trusty Pentax K1000. An outdated camera to go along with the outdated cars.

The two things that I love shooting the most are cars and music. I love shooting at live shows. It’s an exciting gig if you can get it. The crowds are fun and the amount of good music I hear this way far outweighs the amount of bad. I got this one while covering a show for The Deli. It’s a blog covering local music which was kind enough to take me on as a writer and currently their staff photographer. This is a shot from “Texas Steve and the Git Gone Trio”. They were a fun band to watch and were really helpful. I normally try not to use to much flash when I do such shows, it has a more realistic feel. This one however really came alive in black & white.

I just love this shot. It was taken at a small car show in Pengrove, Ca. Much to my surprise it wasn’t much more than a about a two horse town. I like that you can see that it has been driven quite a bit, which always a lot of fun. From what I remember it was a really hot day. Not Exactly the most enjoyable weather at a car show but it was still a great day. If you are interested prints of this and other shot are available for purchase at my Etsy Store.

Recently I hiked the Ohlone Trail which runs from the backside of Del Valle in Livermore, Ca. to Fremont, Ca. With side trips it worked out to a little more than 30 miles over three days. The trail is marked with these red trail markers for the entire length. I have heard it is supposed to be an oak leaf but I never quite got it. It is, however, consistent along the trail making it easy to follow.

I love this shot. I have been working more on consciously choosng an aperture rather than just using whatever will get the proper exposure. I like the effect of a wide open f-stop, it leaves no doubt as to the subject of the frame. I think that this image would not be as strong with a more closed stop. If you look in the background you can see just how narrow and lightly used parts of the Ohlone Trail are. Sections of the trail like this make these markers a welcome site. They always seem to pop up just when your wandering if you missed one.